Photographers have had their say on what constitutes rural crime in a national University of New England-run photo competition, an
d judges are inviting the public to pick a winner.
An expert judging panel has chosen images of a mob of sheep in the eerie twilight, dumped broken goods, and a rusted car as the major prize winners of the Rural Crime and Law Photo Competition run in April, aimed at capturing issues and perceptions around rural crime. These winners also join other entrants in the running for the People’s Choice Award.
“Understanding community perceptions around crime is an important aspect of criminology. The wide-ranging subject matter we received in these entries speaks to the breadth of issues and impact of crimes people in rural Australia grapple with,” said competition organiser and co-director of the UNE Centre for Rural Criminology, Dr Alistair Harkness.
“The judging panel felt the winning entries successfully captured something of the nature of rural crime as well as the emotions, such as anxiety and uncertainty, that an experience with crime or the fear of crime can induce,” Dr Harkness said.
Many of the entries focused on human disrespect, greed, vandalism or ignorance in relation to others’ property rights or to the natural environment. Some referenced the ambiguities of crime, or activities of law enforcement.
Australian artist and competition judge, Graham McBride, said the judging panel was impressed with the thoughtfulness of the entries received.
“We felt the winning entry was particularly successful in capturing the anticipation and uncertainty triggered by the possibility of a rural crime being committed, something that, sadly, the majority of farmers live with. The regular activity of counting sheep, depicted in the image, could be a non-event – or it could uncover a costly crime if not all sheep can be accounted for,” Mr McBride said.
“The entries awarded second and third place captured well the ongoing impacts and flow-on effects of an initial thoughtless and selfish criminal act. Illegal dumping and theft and arson of a stolen car also cause damage and disruptions to the natural environment – a crime upon crime.
“We now look forward to finding out what the public thinks best captures the theme by voting on a People’s Choice Award.”
Entries were judged on their rural relevance, connection of the artist statement to the image, connection of the image to crime, image composition and aesthetic.
The People’s Choice Award is open for voting until 18 November 2022.
Full names of winners to be revealed on announcement of the winner of the People’s Choice Award.
The competition is an initiative of the UNE Centre for Rural Criminology and the Australian Centre for Agriculture and Law.
To view the winning, finalist, and eligible entries for the People’s Choice Award and to vote, visit the UNE website.
Images (from top): 1st Prize and Tertiary Award - Counting Sheep, 2nd Prize and Secondary School Award - Under Investigation, 3rd Prize - Dumped and Forgotten
